Moses 7:1–41

Enoch Was a Leader of God’s People and a Seer

Moses 7:1–20: Enoch Led the People of God

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

Enoch saw the Lord and talked with Him face-to-face (see Moses 7:3–4; see also Exodus 33:11; 2 Nephi 11:2–3; Moses 1:2, 11, 31; Joseph Smith—History 1:17).
The Lord curses the wicked and their lands, and He blesses the righteous and their lands (see Moses 7:7–20; see also Leviticus 18:25–30; 1 Nephi 17:35–38; 2 Nephi 1:7).
The Lord will preserve the righteous, protect them, and lead them to safety (see Moses 7:13–20; see also Isaiah 54:17; 1 Nephi 22:16–17).
The Lord allows the wicked to destroy the wicked (see Moses 7:15–16; see also Mormon 4:5; D&C 3:18).
Enoch built a city called “Zion.” The people of Zion were of one heart and one mind, lived in righteousness, and had no poor among them (see Moses 7:17–20; see also 4 Nephi 1:2–3, 15–16; D&C 97:21).

Suggestions for Teaching

Moses 7. Overview

Ask students to review Moses 7:2–11, 20–67, looking for the questions that Enoch asked the Lord. Discuss the Lord’s responses. Invite students to share what they would ask or say if they had the opportunity to speak with the Lord as Enoch did.

Moses 7:3–4. “I Saw the Lord”

Ask a student to read Moses 7:3–4 aloud. Divide the class into four groups and assign each group a different book of scripture (the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or the Pearl of Great Price). Assign each group to find and list the names of people in their book of scripture who saw God (students may want to use the Topical Guide as a resource). Invite each group to read their list to the rest of the class. Why is it important to have the records left by these witnesses?

Moses 7:6–20. The People and Their Lands

Ask students to find what the Lord did to the land in Moses 7:7–8 and what He did to the land in verse 17. According to verses 7–20, what did the Lord do to, and for, the people of these lands? Discuss how people bring curses upon themselves and how we can help make our lands “blessed.”

Moses 7:13–20. Zion

Explain to students that “Zion” can refer to a place, a kind of people, or a way of life. Ask students to find and share scriptures that teach about these three ideas. Compare Enoch’s Zion (see Moses 7:13–20), to the Zion described in the Book of Mormon (see 4 Nephi 1:1–18), and the Zion that will be established in the last days (see D&C 45:63–71). Ask students what they think it would be like to live in Zion.

Moses 7:18–20. Establishing Zion Today

Ask a student to read Moses 7:18–20 aloud. Invite students to share about their experiences in a ward or branch that was almost like Zion. Ask several students to take turns reading Doctrine and Covenants 6:6; 35:24–25; 97:12–21 aloud. Discuss how we can help establish Zion in our day. Display the following statement by President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), and ask a student to read it aloud. Then discuss the statement as a class:

“May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to ‘bring again Zion’ [3 Nephi 16:18], three things for which we who labor for Zion must commit ourselves.

“First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind. …

“Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. …

“Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a ‘broken heart and a contrite spirit’ [3 Nephi 9:20]. We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings. We learn our duty and execute it fully. Finally we consecrate our time, talents, and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Becoming the Pure in Heart,” Ensign, May 1978, 81).

Moses 7:21–41: Enoch Saw What Would Happen in His Own Day

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

Because of their righteousness, Enoch, the people of his city, and other righteous people after Enoch’s day were taken into heaven (“translated”) without suffering physical death (see Moses 7:21, 27; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:26–34 [in the Bible appendix]; see also Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; D&C 107:48–49; Moses 7:67–69).
Satan and his angels laugh and rejoice over the wickedness of God’s children (see Moses 7:26; see also 3 Nephi 9:2; Moses 5:19–21).
God has emotions; He weeps in sorrow and His anger is kindled when His children do not obey Him (see Moses 7:28–37; see also Judges 2:12; Isaiah 53:3; 63:7–10; D&C 63:32–33).
The “throne” of God (where He dwells) is a place of peace, justice, truth, and mercy (see Moses 7:31).
At death, the wicked go to a prison in the spirit world where they must wait in torment. After His death, Christ went to the spirit world to prepare the way for the wicked to repent and receive the gospel (see Moses 7:37–40; see also 1 Peter 3:18–20; D&C 138:36–37).

Suggestions for Teaching

Moses 7:21–27. Translation

Ask a student to read Moses 7:21, 27, 69 aloud. Explain to students that in verse 69 Enoch and his people were “translated.” This also happened to Melchizedek (see Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:26–34 [in the Bible appendix]), Moses (see Deuteronomy 34:6; Alma 45:18–19), Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:11), John the Beloved (see D&C 7:1–3), Alma (see Alma 45:19), and three of the Nephite disciples (see 3 Nephi 28:6–8). Review the commentary under “Moses 7:21. Translation” in the student manual, and discuss with students the purposes of translation.

Moses 7:26. Satan and His Angels

Ask students to give reasons why people do what Satan wants them to do. Invite two students to take turns reading Moses 7:26 and 3 Nephi 9:2 aloud. Discuss how Satan and his angels react when we sin. Compare this to the Lord’s reaction in Moses 7:28–33.

Moses 7:28–41. The God of Heaven Wept

Invite students to think about the last time they cried. Then invite a student to read Moses 7:28–31 aloud. Ask students to find reasons why Enoch was puzzled when he saw that God wept. What reasons did God give in verses 32–40 for the heavens weeping? According to verses 41 and 44, how did Enoch feel after he understood the Lord’s answer? Ask students what these verses teach about the Lord.

Moses 7:38–40. A Prison

Ask students to compare what happened to the people in Enoch’s day who chose to follow God (see Moses 7:27) to those who chose to follow Satan (see Moses 7:34, 38–39). Ask students what they think life in prison is like. Ask several students to take turns reading the following scriptures aloud that describe what life is like in the spirit world: Alma 40:11–14; Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–23, 50, 57. Discuss these verses as a class.